Two sentences on every notable trade during deadline week
With some major names on the move, Justin Bourne writes two sentences on every notable deal made in the lead up to Friday’s trade deadline.
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I’ve been writing this feature for about 10 years now, so many of you will know the drill.
Below are two bite-sized sentences of analysis laced with opinion on every (noteworthy) trade in the week leading up to Friday’s deadline.
What the Rangers did reminds me of what the pre-Cup St. Louis Blues did when they had good teams, yet still moved players like Paul Stastny and Kevin Shattenkirk. They’re getting assets for guys who they don’t want to lose for nothing, while simultaneously trying to compete, which doesn’t look super promising here but you’ll recall worked out pretty damn well for the Blues.
The Wild’s salary cap picture has their hands tied, and injuries have hurt them this season, so this feels like a half-baked attempt at improving. The Central is just so loaded that this doesn’t move the needle.
This is the type of trade that makes sense for both parties, as the Panthers take a guy who gets dumped on because he makes so much, they cut down his pay, and then put him in a better position to succeed. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks take a swing at finding their goalie of the future while grabbing a first, so retention aside, you can see how they prefer this package over a guy who didn’t want to be there.
I love this addition for the Oilers, with the caveat that I’m hopeful Trent Frederic can be the best version of himself for Edmonton upon returning from injury. It seems like a lot of pieces out, but it’s unlikely any of them are massive NHL difference-makers, and a healthy Frederic can protect Connor McDavid, shoot it in the net and give the Oilers a more punch-first mentality.
With Spencer Knight being shipped out, the Panthers made sure they got both a capable backup and a capable backup backup (they added Kaapo Kahkonen as well). Neither goalie is exceptional, but behind a great team, they both have the NHL experience necessary to give them at least baseline-level goaltending.
I like basically everything the Lightning have said about this deal, namely their GM saying, “Ultimately, the calculation is that trying and failing will yield less regret than failing to try.” That makes me want to run through a wall for Tampa Bay, which is quietly third in the NHL in goal differential and getting better.
Fact is, somebody’s gotta play for the Sharks, what with their plan to trade everyone away who isn’t 24 or younger. I like Vincent Desharnais fine enough.
Bunting makes $4.5 million this year and next, and is on pace for 40 points and is going to turn 30 this year, and the Penguins turned him and a fourth into a cheaper (and pretty damn good) Tommy Novak, a second and the return for Schenn, which was a second and a fourth. Quality asset management there.
I like that the Devils aren’t rolling over after the Jack Hughes injury. Brian Dumoulin is obviously not a huge needle mover, but he’s a big-body defensive defenceman, and he’ll help them in playoffs.
Nico Sturm has won a Cup as a depth guy before. He’s in a good spot to do it again.
Sometimes a player is worth more than the general perception if you put him in the right environment. And this is the one Reilly Smith wanted to be in all along, meaning, I think they’ll get more out of him than any other team would have.
The Panthers are just trying to protect Sergei Bobrovsky, who can run hot and cold. I’m not sure if this does that at all, but it maybe improves their emergency scenarios a few per cent?
Sneaky like this for the Rangers, and at a fairly low cost. Carson Soucy is big and can defend, and in the playoffs, they’re gonna need to help out Igor Shesterkin.
I like this move for Edmonton, too, as he wasn’t really a name on many teams’ radars. Jake Walman has offensive upside, size and is really coming into his own (and the Oilers need help at that position!).
This was great work by the Islanders, who turned an expiring contract on a declining asset into a first and a very good prospect. Now, I hope that doesn’t sound like I’m denigrating Brock Nelson, because this is still a very good player who immediately helps bump the Avs from “pretty good” to “one of the contenders.”
I’m not sure Anthony Beauvillier makes the Caps all that much better, but depth is depth. More than anything, this is an example of how crazy the prices get on deadline day.
Pretty incredible that the Flyers turned Andrei Kuzmenko into a third, even with retention. He’s streaky, and the Kings could use some scoring help, so maybe he’s got a big goal or two in him come the playoffs.
I liked Josh Norris, but his health was a major issue, and I can’t help but love the upside of Dylan Cozens for the Sens. On a better team, Cozens could have the support he’s needed to take a step and really make this thing a win for Ottawa.
When Carolina acquired Mikko Rantanen, it was always “try to sign him, and if we can’t, flip him,” and it ended up being the latter. While the team didn’t manage to get better in the short term (and that is worth noting), a franchise in that market has to protect against bottoming out, and adding Logan Stankoven, two firsts, and two thirds as assets represents a big opportunity to add to the overall return for Martin Necas.
Two things can be true, and in this case, Luke Schenn being both a useful NHLer and an overpay demonstrates that. The Leafs acquired him for a third-rounder a couple years ago, and now he’s older and makes more money, while the Jets spent quite a bit more to get him.
In a year where guys like Beauvillier and Kuzmenko cost second- and third-round picks to acquire, getting Scott Laughton for a player who might top out as Laughton and a late first (while getting multiple picks back and 50 per cent salary retained) is a plus-move for the Leafs. He’s maybe not the big improvement up front many Leafs fans hoped for, but he fits in their puzzle neatly, solidifying a big hole at 3C.
While Dallas and Colorado were taking big swings, the Jets were getting more competitive and deeper. They didn’t want to mess with their room chemistry and good vibes, so Tanev should help them on the ice while not disrupting things off it.
The Avs went from just about no centre depth to one of the deepest teams at centre in the league, rolling out Nathan MacKinnon, Nelson, Charlie Coyle and Jack Drury. Seems like a pretty moderate price too, so a great add for them.
This trade is the equivalent of eating a healthy dinner and then thinking, “Y’know what? I deserve a little treat.” The Jackets certainly do deserve a little treat after an incredible year, so if Luke Kunin helps them a bit, that’s great.
A nice move for the Blackhawks, who want Spencer Knight to hold the crease for a while. It also buys low on a young guy who may yet have more to give.
The return on this is about the same as the return for Beauvillier, in that it’s apparently a second (albeit one that could turn into a first in 2028). It’s insanely cheap to move a franchise icon, so Brad Marchand must’ve really wanted this, and the Bruins wanted to do right by him.
Love this fit for the Leafs, who get a proper shutdown right-shot D to pair with Morgan Rielly this season and two more after it on Brandon Carlo’s contract. He’s just 28, and the cost of Fraser Minten and what’s likely a late first is more than worth it to get a player who can help the PK and be a part of a very solid back-end.
A feel-good story, with lots of players returning “home” this spring. Not sure it makes a hockey difference, but yeah, nice.
Fabian Zetterlund is just 25 years old. he’s built like a brick … “out” house we’ll say (five-foot-11 and 220 pounds) and is a 20-goal-plus scorer. That’s a nice addition for the Sens, who could use that depth during their playoff push.
The poor Devils had a good start and have just gotten smoked by injuries. At least Daniel Sprong can help out, he’s a legit NHLer, so at least there’s that?
This is a fairly boring part of the Leafs making the Carlo deal. They needed to make cap space, and since it’s both legit NHLers they’re giving away, the Penguins threw them a courtesy pick.
